1. Influence of delta infection on severity of hepatitis B.
- Author
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Smedile A, Farci P, Verme G, Caredda F, Cargnel A, Caporaso N, Dentico P, Trepo C, Opolon P, Gimson A, Vergani D, Williams R, and Rizzetto M
- Subjects
- Acute Disease, Carrier State immunology, Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral, England, France, Hepatitis B epidemiology, Hepatitis B immunology, Hepatitis B Antibodies analysis, Hepatitis B Antigens immunology, Hepatitis delta Antigens, Humans, Immunoglobulin M analysis, Italy, Risk, Hepatitis B complications, Hepatitis B Antigens analysis
- Abstract
The prevalence of serum markers of primary delta infection was determined in 532 patients with acute benign hepatitis B seen in Italy, and in 111 patients with fulminant hepatitis B seen in Italy, France and England. Patients with fulminant hepatitis had significantly higher prevalence of delta markers (43/111, 39%) than did those with benign hepatitis (101/532, 19%). In 25 of the 43 patients with delta-positive fulminant hepatitis, serum markers indicated a primary hepatitis B infection while in the remaining 18, IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen was absent, indicating that hepatitis B preceded superinfection with the delta agent. The increased morbidity of HBsAg hepatitis with delta infection may result from the cumulative simultaneous exposure to hepatitis B virus and delta, or from superinfection of HBsAg carriers with delta.
- Published
- 1982
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